Muscle-kneader.



No. 655,490. Patented Aug. 7, |900.

R HLLEN MUSCLE KNEDER. (Application lex-il Apr. 8, 1960.)

2 Sheets- Sheet 1 (No Model.)

[22M/wr ,mm fw. H hw MQ' mee@ No. 655,490. Bateman Aug. 7, |900.

n. HoLLEM.

muscu: KNEADER.

(Application filed. Apr. 6, 1900.)

{No.MudeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

XQ- (Q other suitable means.

UNITED STATES PATENT .()rrroa RUDOLPH IIOLLEM, OF SIOUX CITY, IOVA,

MUSCLE-KNEADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,490, dated August 7, 1900.

Application tiled April 6, 1900.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that LRUDOLPH l-IoLLEM,a citizen of the United States, residing at Sioux City, in the county of Woodbury and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Muscle-Kneaders; and I do hereby declare the followingto be af ull, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide an improved muscle-kneader for usein massage treatments, and to this end it consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafer described, and defined in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure l shows the improved muscle-kneaderin side elevation, the same beingin the form of a double-headed hammer, some parts thereof being broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the so-called hammer looking at one head thereof, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of said hammer looking at the other head thereof. Fig. 4 is a view taken ou the line 004 Q34 of Fig. 5, principally in section, with some parts shown in full. Fig. 5 is a View taken on a line m5 :t5 of Fig. 4.

In this preferred construction the hammer is made up of a handle 1 and a body 2, having a disk-like head 3 and a segmental head 4. The segmental head4is preferably pivoted to the end of the body 2, as shown at 5, to permit the segmental body to be turned either longitudinally or transversely of the handle 1. Secured by cement or other suitable means to the face of the head 3 is a rubber disk 6, which has a plurality of closely-positioned pneumatic nipples or projections 7. On the outer convex surface ofthe segmental head 4a rubber plate or strip 8, having a plurality of pneumatic nipples 9, is secured by cement or The concavities of the nipples 7 and 9 open, respectively, through the body portions and 8, but are closed by the heads 3 and 4, respectively, so that the Vsaid nipples are cushioned by the air confined therein. The nipples 7 are preferably smaller and much softer than the nipples 9 Serial No. 11,797. (No model.)

to adapt them for use on the face or more delicate muscular portions of the body.

The device above described is adapted for use to knead the muscles of all parts of the body, and it will be understood that it is in-y tended as a substitute in massage treatments for the human fingers as therein usually ernployed. The nipples may be applied to the muscles either by light pounding action, by slow direct pressure, or by a rocking action. The device is especially intended for home or individual use, where the services of a professional masseur are not desired or con- Venient. With this device, however, the rubbin g process may be entirely eliminated from the treatment and the gentle direct pressure or pounding action used instead. A rubbing l 4action is in most instances objectionable, be-

cause it displaces more or less the tissues and distorts the delicate network of the cap; illaries and often produces ruptures,` which require time and sometimes medical treatment to heal. The direct gentle pressure obtained by the use of the soft pneumatic nip ples produces a circular wave motion in the surrounding tissues,which eectually kneads every flexible part of the human anatomy from the surface skin to the bone without bruising, abrasing, or distorting the parts.

The segmental head may be used with a rocking action and for this purpose may be readily removed from the ham mer-body 2, and would then be held by its ends.

The invention above described, it will be understood, is capable of modification within the scope of my invention. l

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

l. A muscle kneader or beater, comprising a head and a rubber plate secured thereto, said plate having a plurality of hollow nipples with closed outer ends and opening at that side of said plates which is secured to said head, whereby air is caged in the said nipples, by the said head.

2. A muscle kneader or beater, comprising a handle and a pivoted head, said head hav# ing a rubber plate secured thereto, and provided with a plurality of hollow nipples with closed outer ends and opening at the side of IOO .vhereby air is caged in said. nipples, by the in presence of two Witnesses.

said head.

3. A secfi'nental musele-kneadin@ device i having senred to the convex snrfae thereo RUDOLPH HOLLEM a rubber plate having a plurality of hollow nipples, With closed ou ter ends, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature Vitnesses:

C. K. FORD, G. E. MCMASTER. 

